Clipping:Umpires to call all balls and strikes
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| Date | Saturday, March 30, 1872 |
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| Text | The umpire is now positively required to call every ball mentioned in section 4 of rule 2d, whenever such is delivered, even if in succession. He fails to obey both the spirit and the letter of the rule if he does otherwise. The umpire must now call strikes on the batsman in every instance in which he refuses to strike at balls designated as “fair” in section 5 of rule 2. March 30, 1872 [Atlantic vs. Concord 4/6/1872] Bass umpired the game and did it well, as a general thing; but he erred in allowing several “unfair”balls to go by uncalled. While the umpire can use his discretion to a certain extent in calling balls not sent in according to the rule headed “Fair Balls,” he has no option in the case of those described under the head of “Unfair Balls,” and every time he allows such a ball to go by uncalled, he wilfully violates an express law of the game. Inasmuch as every ball included under the head of “unfair balls” is a ball out of all fair and legitimate reach of the bat, it follows that it is but a just penalty for an unfair delivery to call every such ball delivered. In the case of balls, however, which, though not included under the head of “unfair balls,” are neverthless not exactly fair, because not over the home base or not at the height called for, the umpire cannot call a ball until the pitcher has “repeatedly” infringed to break the rule. |
| Source | New York Clipper |
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| Submitted by | Richard Hershberger |
| Origin | Initial Hershberger Clippings |
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